Government Strengthens Cybersecurity Rules for Inverters in Rooftop Solar Scheme

In light of growing cybersecurity concerns, especially linked to equipment from China, the central government has issued new rules for inverter manufacturers involved in the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has now made it mandatory for all original equipment manufacturers supplying inverters under the scheme to connect their devices directly to national servers and a software platform managed by the ministry or its designated agency. The specific date for implementing this rule will be announced soon. 

The ministry highlighted that with a target of installing rooftop solar systems in 10 million homes, there are rising concerns around grid stability and data security. Inverters often contain communication modules that send information to servers located outside India. This data, if misused, could expose sensitive electricity generation and consumption patterns and pose a risk to national energy security. 

To prevent such risks, all inverter communication devices, including dongles and data loggers used in the scheme, must now use machine to machine SIM communication protocols. This will ensure reliable and secure transmission of performance data back to Indian servers. 

The ministry emphasized that the shift to centralized monitoring is essential for managing millions of inverters and ensuring the smooth integration of solar power into the national grid. These systems also help track generation benefits more accurately and support overall energy planning. 

Inverters are vital in rooftop solar setups as they convert direct current from solar panels into alternating current usable by homes. They also enable any extra electricity to be sent back to the grid. 

The move comes after recent reports raised alarms about undocumented communication components found in some imported inverter units, particularly those from China. In response, the government has already taken steps to reduce reliance on Chinese imports by raising import duties on solar cells and modules and promoting domestic manufacturing. 

As of 15 July, over 1.54 million households have been covered under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which began in February 2024. The scheme aims to install rooftop solar systems in 10 million homes and add 30 gigawatts of solar power capacity. 

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